England's Alarm to War against the Beast: By command from Heaven, and His Israel's Example upon Earth, coming in to rescue David out of the hands of a cruel Lord and a bloody Edomite: upon the same ground from Scripture and Reason, Israel had then, and Christians now, To resist the Prince ruling in the Air, and with the Kings of the Earth. In 3. Sections: Wherein, I. The History of saul's War against David is so related from the sacred Text, that it relates in whole, and in part, to the three last years affairs: The most remarkable Passages between the King and the Parliament before the War broke forth. II. And to the bloody Execution of the Edomite in this War against the Parliament in Ireland and England ever since. III. Here is also excellent Reason given, Why the Tribes came not in sooner; and sufficient Reason, Why they came in so Armed at the last: Relating fully to this present time, The wonderful Providences, The admirable Deliverances, Strange Discoveries, etc. As at this day. Also, To confirm the hearts and hands of the Godly in their warfare: and to strike terror to the wicked, fight for the Devil, and against God's hidden ones, contrary to the Vow in Baptism, Oath of Allegiance, and Covenant entered into by all good Subjects; And To establish the heart in a patiented expectation of the glorious end GOD will make, Though, for a time, He will plead with all flesh by fire, and by His sword, and the slain of the LORD shall be many. He who affirms. That Christians may not resist wicked Rulers, does affirm with as with as loud a voice though he would not be heard) That Christians may not resist the Evill-one, ruling in wicked Rulers, and acting violences by their hands, Scl. de Imp. PSAL. 11. 5, 6 7. The Lord tryeth the Righteous but him, that loveth violence, His soul hateth, &c. ISAIAH 60 22. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong Nation, I the Lord will hasten it in His time. Printed in the second year of the Beasts wounding, making war with the Lamb, and those that are with Him, 〈…〉 and Faithful for Thomas Vnderhill. 〈…〉 An Apology for the Epistle following. I Shall lay open the depths of Satan, hidden works of darkness. Then I shall show a Train of Providences, etc. The sure mercies of David: I can tell myself, now, I shall, against my Rule, speak excellent things in the ears of a fool: show him the Sun in your hand (as the Proverb is) he will not see it: Tell him it is the Word of God, what cares he, he will not hear it. Tell him it is a Pearl, he regards it not. A very swine, A brutish man, Mad upon his Idols. Yet let us do our endeavours to make him sober. Surely this before him, will do it, if any thing under heaven can make him hear and see both. For he will see the Devil here all along acting a bloody part; and, if the Devil be not in him, he will see himself, and his own Actings in the Devil. He will hear two men speaking to him from the dead also, he will see all their notorious violences acted over afresh by his own hand now. He must hear the voice of the Eving God too, and see what end the LORD makes. Those Persons all, whom he and his fellows have dealt so hatefully with, shall be set on high before his face, (the higher, the lower he would have pressed them down) there singing the high praises of their GOD; and himself amongst others his fellow Malignants laid low, as contemptible as their own dung, gnawing their tongues for pain. Whether he will hear, or whether he will forbear, it is at his peril: Let him that is filthy, be filthy still: and let the fool hold fast his folly: sober men will hear, and be instructed. To the most Malignant Reader. IT is granted on both sides (there are but two) That now is the time all over the Christian world, when Kings go forth to battle: All their Subjects are engaged now. It is high time then to consider the Case, weigh it well with all our hearts, and with all our souls. There are but two great Commanders in the world, God and the Devil; All serve under th●se two. Another Commander there is (we call it man's Will) and boasteth great things, but an underling it is, and subservient, obeyed in reference to the other two, who rule in chief: so the question is single, Who must be harkened to or obeyed? Not whether God's Command, or man's Will contrary thereunto? Though this is the greatest question in the world, and most stubbornly argued; nor will it be answered, no not when it is answered and fairly proposed to every man's consideration, judge yet so it was answered more than sixteen hundred years ago, therefore Act. 14. 19 it cannot be the question now: But this; Whether God is to be obeyed or the Devil? I confess it is a strange question: But it were a stranger answer, and argued more than a distemper in the brain: To say, That the Devil is to be obeyed, and God is to be resisted. And yet so much thou must say, if thou wilt accuse Israel now for taking up defensive Arms, being charged thereunto in obedience to God, and in defiance of the Devil; for this is the very Case, which we will propose in Israel's Case fi●st: and anon, bring-it-up to our times, and make every line then run parallel with our Case now. This was Israel's Case; All true Israel once took shield and buckler, came in so armed to rescue David. Did they well? It must be granted they did well, and their bounden duty in rescuing David, and in him, themselves, out of the hand of a cruel Lord, and bloody Edomite. Indeed it would argue more than indiscretion in us to censure all Israel at that point, for taking up defensive Arms, though we could give no reason for what they did. But the sacred Text is clear in the point, That the Tribes came-in, not with an intent to resist Saul their King; no, nor the Edomite neither, (and that a Malignant may think strange, being not like, but the same now, with the Edomite then, a bloody adversary to Israel; and yet Israel not resist him:) But to resist the evil Spirit commanding in chief with both: This evil Spirit commanded in Saul, else he had not thrown a javelin a● David, quickly after at his own son, Jonathan: nor had Saul after all this sealed a Commission to an Edomite, to execute the pleasure of his own will upon Israel. 2. And the evil Spirit ruled in the Edomite too, else he had not executed saul's Commission to destroy a City of Priests, man and beast there. The Tribes then came-in, not to resist Saul, but the perverse will in Saul, acted by the evil Spirit upon Saul. They took up defensive Arms to withstand the notorious violences, the asting of saul's and the Edomites wills acted by their evil Spirits: These outrages, extreme violences, actings of an evil Spirit, Israel withstood then, and no body else in the world, but as the body was acted by this evil Spirit. And this is Israel's Case now, I mean all true Christians in the world. And such is their practice, according to Israel's example in all Ages, by allowance and command also of all the Laws in Heaven and Earth. I repeat it again; Upon the same ground from Scripture and Reason, All true Christians now are engaged, as Israel then, To help the Church against the mighty; To comein now with shield and buckler, To oppose and resist with all their might, Not their King [no; This resistance has an affiance, a full agreement rather with duty and loyalty] nor the Papists, nor the Atheists neither, but that evil Spirit in both, The actings, and notorious violences thereof, and of a private and perverse will acted thereby, which has done all the mischief, done in the world, since the beginning of the same, and will do all the hurt there it can while the world stands: All true Christians now will maintain a Resistance against the Actings, as aforesaid, of this will, which, like the tongue, is a world of iniquity b, defileth the whole body; setteth on fire the course of Jam. 3. 5, 6. nature, and is set on fire of Hell, (i. e.) of that evil Spirit, whose Mansion-house is Hell, but now he is the great Peripatetic of the world, walking to and fro therein, and, by the help of man's will, a willing servant to him, does all the violences, insolences and wrongs our eyes have seen, or our ears have heard have been done in both Kingdoms: Thy evil Spirit, this Will (call it what you will, if it be not the Devil, yet it Acts his Commands.) This evil Spirit, all true Christians will oppose and resist now; Nay, they have solemnly protested before the Lord, That this evil and unclean Spirit shall not rule over them, he shall not be king in their world, they will break his bands, and cast away his cords, they will oppose and resist him to the death, and no Body else in the world, but as the body is acted and effectually wrought in and upon by this evil Spirit: and, if so acted, they will resist him or them what ever Bodies they be, though Kings and Princes and Nobles of the Earth: for upon the same ground from Scripture and Reason, will they make this resistance, by which they stand charged to obey God, and to resist the Devil. And if you find any other resistance maintained now by men, or books, then against the actings and notorious violences of man's private will, acted by that evil Spirit so powerful upon Saul, and working as effectually in the Edomite, I mean, him or them, who say of our Jerusalem now, Raze it, raze it even with the ground; If, I say, any other resistance is maintained in those books, then only only against that Power, which Commands in the Ruler, not by God, but against Him; then let those books be served, as the King served the Roll, be first cut it, than burned it; only read the books first c, which the King did not do, whereas, c Jer. 36. 23. which is verily thought, had he read the Roll thorough out first, he had not burnt it afterward. I will name the chief of these books here; That Answer to Doctor Fearn, and the fuller Answer. That of Anti-Turkisme [Cavalierisme is too gentile a word, for they are the same with the Turks, & more brutish; though Turks (as one writeth) are in the lowest degree of men, next to bruit Beasts in the shape of Men.] And the same Authors Vindication of the same Book, against a Bishop in name, who hath in that Vindication, not only given the Bishop a bone to pick, but choked him therewith, for he has made the Bishop and his fellows speechless for ever, in point of Reply thereunto. Not so only, he hath burnt this note of infamy upon their foreheads, [gainsavers of the Truth, Nothing for it, but all they can against it] more visible there then is the bone in the throat, which the Anatomists (too Rabinically) do call Pomum Adam, Adam's Apple: And let Scripture and Reason be served so to, (being first read thorough) and that full Letter, which has so cleared a just Cause, that the Answerer hath not found with all his search, [yet he did his utmost, with all his skill, strength, wrath, malice, and what the Devil could help-him into, because he found the Devil his Father there, a most notorious liar, yet he found not] one word of sense to reply unto that Letter: But yet let this, and that, and the other, have the same execution aone upon them, as aforesaid, and as was done upon that abominable and cursed Pamphlet (for we must not call it a Book) giving liberty to riot, and dance upon the Lord's Day: let those Books be burnt by the hand of the common hangman in all the Cities and Towns thorough the whole Kingdom; for so such Papers should be served, which give such liberty to sport and play away the Lords Day: or a liberty to Subjects to resist their King. But if th●se Books (I will call them Books, having for their Patrons, Truth and Reason, and such only are worthy the name of Books d) persuade obedience to Rulers, submission to that power God d Libri 〈◊〉 nomi●e dignandi in vericatis tan●um & rationis clientelam s●dare debent, Ver. de Aug. l. 1 has set over them, and resistance only against that evil Spirit, the great Monarch of the world, King of the bottomless Pit, working mightily now, and effectually in the Rulers of the world, and in their sworn servants, Israel's enemies, the Edomites there: if a resistance only of that power in the Rulers not for God, but against Him, giving full Commission to Atheists, and bloody Papists, to do as the Edomite did against Nob, and as Saul would have done against Keilah; if so, allow the Books, read what they say, and hear them out, it is Scripture and Reason, and be stubborn and brutish no more, but obey. Show thyself a man, who will't never oppose so reasonable a charge as this, Obey thy Sovereign Lord, Resist the Devil, and thy own will, the Devils right hand, in the world: Grant so much we are agreed, and altogether to fight against the Devil, and this perverse will, as long as there is a Spirit of life within us, and a drop of quick blood at our heart. All this is commended to thee, and charged upon thee before God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, His Elect Angels and Men. Therefore do not dare to refuse nor gain say such a sacred Truth, so firmly grounded upon sacred Scripture and Reason both; Scripture specially now opening itself unto thee, wherein thou mayest, with one cast of the Eye, Read and Remember David and all his Afflictions; The Church and all her enemies. Their deadly persecutions, contrivances and complotings how to do her mischief: The contrivances and admirable providences of her Lord God to do His people good. All this thou shalt read here, and at last thou shalt see all the Tribes coming in to set David free from his Adversaries; and then fast upon his Throne, (so God will deal with His Church now appearing in His glory) for David has a Kingdom on earth at last. But, O the admirable ways unto it! These are Gods ways. He will make David Ruler over all His House; he shall learn to obey first. He shall be a good, a merciful King; he shall go thorough sore temptations first: He must be the highest man in the Kingdom, he must be the lowest there first: He shall have afair house, his little house must be smitten and burnt first: He shall have all in God, but all must be taken from him first: He shall live to enjoy a Crown on Earth in despite of Devils and men there, who will persecute him as they can, even to the gates of death, and in their way, cast shame and all manner of reproach upon him first: David's way to the Crown, is the Church's way to her Glory: The very same dark-paths, intricacies, and back-wayes in it: David's enemies, the Church's enemies for ever: david's God, the Church's God for ever: David's security, the Church's confidence for ever. Many are the troubles of the righteous, The Lord will deliver them out of all. For who is God, save the Lord? or who is a rock, save our God? So it comes to pass, That the righteous are an everlasting foundation. Here they will put their trust for ever. Amen. England's Alarm to War. Sect. I. David's Story, and saul's persecution of him briefly related, his secret practices, and fine contrivances to take away David's life, coloured-over, and made specious with goodly words, and lovely actions; Relating fully to the words and actions the King, seduced by evil Council, has spoken and done seemingly for, but indeed clear against his Parliament ever since they sat, to the time the War broke forth. Chap. 1. After a short, but righteous Apology, David's story is Related; saul's persecution of him; The cause and manner, the same with the persecution now; The heads or particulars of the three Sections. THE Sword is comein amongst us, drinks blood, eats flesh: We make no question but God has given it a Commission, and it cannot be still; And for just cause all this, even because of His People's sins. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto Lam 3. 41, 42, 44. GOD in the heavens: We have transgressed, and rebelled, Thou hast not pardoned. Thou hast covered with Anger, and persecuted us: Thou hast slain, Thou hast not pitied God's people say now, as they said then, and they say it hearty. Yet, as Job said, sitting in the dust, GOD forbidden that I should justify my accusers: till I die, Job 27. 5, 6. I will not remove my integrity from me: My Righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. A people so blasphemed, so reproached say as much now, and are so resolved; Their consciences bearing them witness, and Goa also, That neither against the Law, nor against their King have they offended. If Psal. 11. 3. the foundation be destroyed, what can the Righteous do? Was David's complaint long ago, and the Righteous may resume it, being now as David then, the Butt and Mark at which the wicked bend their Bow, and make ready their arrow, at this day; even against the upright in heart. And that they may have some colour for this their bloody work, they deal with the righteous now, as Saul did with David then, and as the Edomites did with Christians ever since; They put-over them the skins of the fiercest beasts, that so the dogs might be the more fierce upon them. Just so now, the wicked persecute the righteous with fire and sword, and they make the world believe they do all this by the known Laws of the Kingdom; for they persecute none other but the Incendiaries of the Kingdom, the only Rebels and Traitors there: Well, as David said (for I shall make his Case run parallel with ours all along, he is the Emblem of the Church to this day, and will be to the world's end) The Righteous know not what to do, but their Lord knows, whose Throne is in heaven, whose eyes behold and try the children of men. To Him they commit their righteous Cause, and yet they must not be silent, hearing themselves charged with rebellion, and treason, as heavy a charge every whit as Heresy is: They will take the same liberty, which is granted to Church-robbers, Traitors, yea, and Sorcerers too; all these, saith Lactantius b, are permitted to speak for themselves and to speak all b Sacrileg is & proditoribus & veneficis, l. 5. Cap. 1. they have to say for themselves, before judgement passeth upon them. Indeed the greatest reason, that so they should do, for so their crimes will be manifest, or their righteousness will be cleared as the noon day. There were strange crimes (yet I should not say so, being but after the manner and practice of the wicked in all times upwards to this day) horrid crimes charged upon Paul, and they concluded against him before he was heard, That Paul ought not to live any longer, and so they spoke before Festus; who having examined Act. 25. 24 the matter very fully, professed as hearty, That he found many and grievous complaints against Paul, but nothing proved, no, nothing at all: notwithstanding his adversaries, a multitude of them, importune me, said he, very much to write his indictment to my Lord Augustus; And, as I am an honest man, though I have their clamours against him once and again, yet I have not one word for certainty to write unto my Lord; Therefore hither I have brought him especially unto thee, O King Agrippa, that, after thou hast searched out the whole matter, I might gather something whereof to write; for it seemeth unreasonable to send a Prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. Festus spoke like an honest man indeed, He will understand the cause before he indites his Letter, or the prisoner before Augustus. And Agrippa speaks as honestly too, Paul, Thou a●t permitted to speak for thyself. The servants of the Lord desire no more favour than Paul has from an Heathen King. Let their crimes, so many and grievous, be fairly examined: and if any one crime be proved against them, let them suffer as evil doers for all suggested against them. But we are sure they can clear themselves, and their upright dealing as the noon day, even as Paul did then, and as David before him: And because David's history is theirs now, we may read the Church's story now, in David's story then: I will read David's story quite through from point to point, that we may see anon, how parallel the lines thereof run-up to the Church's story now. David's story gins like a Comedy, with a marriage, but quickly there is a turning of the Scene, proves a Tragedy, and ends in blood. David was envied by Saul, for two Reasons: 1. Because he had wrought salvation for Israel, slaying Goliath the Philistine with his own Sword. 2. And, because the Kingdom must be established in David's house, and Saul knew it, therefore he envied David, and pursued him 1 Sam. 23. 17 to the death: but because bloody intentions have no pleasant appearance, Saul vailed them over with sugared words, and lovely actions, he causeth many love-tokens to pass betwixt himself and David: as if he purposed not only to affiance his daughter to David, but marry himself unto him too. See the depths of Satan, that evil spirit, who wrought so effectually upon Saul! All his words and actions were as soft and smooth as Oil and Butter, but inwardly drawn swords, to slay David therewith. But the people remote from the Court, I say remote from the Court (for Israel in and about the Court knew very well, that Saul hated David, and would have nailed his head and the wall together twice, and once he would have served his Son Jonathan so too, for being a friend to David: Therefore, I say, Israel remote from the Court) were wholly taken with things in appearance, and so judged of Saul and David, and of their actions: so as, if one of the two were too blame, David was he. And these colourable pretences stood Saul in some stead, to veil the people's eyes, for some time, and not long; for wicked and malicious intentions will workout, and discover themselves, as five will, and light will, they will not be hid. Saul plots against the righteous, lays a snate here, and there a snare for David's soul: The Righteous God discovers all, and breaks the snare, which enrageth Saul yet more, the evil Spirit taking advantage thereby. And now Saul pursues David with open a●e, and sword in hand, up to Naioth in Ramah, and from thence to Nob. There he enters his foot first into blood, and goes up to the knees therein quickly, for he takes an Edomite to his side, gives him a Commission, useth him as his right hand, & presently he (with other Edomites with him, for we cannot imagine that one should do that execution alone) smites a City of Priests, slays men, women, and sucklings there, and beast also: Where I shall note, That all this is done by the known Laws of the Kingdom, for the Edomite accuseth the Priest, Saul gives the Priest leave to answer for himself, than execution is done according to the known Law, which Saul and the Edomite have enacted. We shall inquire farther into these matters, when I shall handle them in order, why Saul takes the Edomite to his side, gave him a Commission, being a known adversary to Is ael, whereof I shall give a better account anon. And then, though we are concluded, That the Lord is righteous, and His Judgements are as the great deep: yet I shall search into them, and findeo●● reason enough to satisfy us, why the Lord suffers the Edomite to make such a slaughter in Israel's Land, and His own Kingdom: To do execution according to their wills, upon those, who did their du●y, by direction from God's mouth: We shall see reason for all this, though God needs not give account of His matters, yet we shall see, so He is pleased to do. And now David's History proves Tragical indeed. The Priests are slain, and David is strucken-at thorough the priests sides: he sees saul's sword now, and against whom it was pointed. So away he flies, and to Keilah he comes in all haste, expecting relief there; for he had done the inhabitants such a piece of service, as was very notable & would have engaged them to David for ever, had they been honest men. But Keilites cannot consider what David had done for them, they ponder not the kindness of God towards them, nor man's kindness neither. And now David, having a strong hold over his head, is resolved therein to defend himself; but the Keilites proved treacherous, they (after their manner) will betray David, and he is warned thereof, (for a mighty Counsellor was with David wheresoever he went) and away he went from Keilah to a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph● Saul pursues his way, and bloody intentions, and after he goes, for he sought David every day: but it follows, (God 〈◊〉 2●. 1● delivered him not into his hands.) The Keilites would have done it, so would the Ziphites too, these would have delivered up David into saul's hands; yea, but God would not do it, and His is the overruling Hand: These adversaries shall but show themselves so, show their teeth unto David, discover their treacherous hearts against him, that is all they shall do, more they would do, but they cannot. Therefore Psal. 54. David makes a Psalm of praise to his God, for that deliverance. Here a great question will be proposed anon, (I do but give the heads here) why the Tribes came-not-in all this while, now they saw what was done to Nob, what was offered to be done to Keilah; and saw the sword was pointed directly to David's throat; why yet the Tribes came-not-in? Some will Answer, Conscience withheld them; had they comein to help David, they had resisted their King: I shall clear the contrary in the third Section, for it is the chief purpose thereof. Other conceits there are, I will pass them over in this place. This is certain: Things were not ripe yet, nor yet God's time; David's straits must be yet greater than they were at Nob, or when he was at Keilah: and and there must be farther discoveries yet, of God's right hand with David, and of his adversaries against him: whereof towards the close of the Work. Saul pursues David still thorough all the Thousands of Judah d 1 Sam. 23. 23. ; [malice will draw blood, but it cannot, yet will pursue to the death] he and his men have cooped-up David and his men, for they have compassed David round about. Then God wrought wonderfully for David, as His Name is, and His Manner, and the Earth must help David; [A Drossy earthy people shall help David, shall work for his deliverance, though enemies to him.] And though Saul has David as a prey in his hand, yet the Lord sets up a Rock of separation betwixt David and Saul: David is almost under saul's nose, within the reach of his spear, and yet saul cannot reach him: O wonderful! It is so indeed, therefore 1 Sam. 23. 28. they called the place Sela-Hammahlekoth e, as at this day. 〈◊〉 takes no notice of this, no not of David's Rock in his way; he 〈◊〉 David still, and he pops-into a Cave? all alone, where David, and all ●● m●n were, [the man shall run strange adventures that 〈◊〉 David, and may escape once and again: but beware the third 〈…〉, he that pursues David may fall into the Philistines hands a●on, as Saul did.] Note again, how various and changeable mat●●rs are in the c●●ying-on of David's Wars. Saul had David in a coop ●●e other day, now David has Saul at the same advantage. It was so, 〈…〉 will be so in David's wars ever more. Then Saul had the advantage, now David; Down and up, Vp ●nd down: But the advantage i● shall on Davids-side, whether he rise or fall, for he is instructed. To make advantage of his falls, Saul cannot of his rise; Either he shall not see his advantage, or shall make no advantage thereof at all. David shall see his advantages, and make use of them for glorious ends, and towards Saul, to clear his innocence as the noon day. For now it shall appear to all Israel, and to Saul himself, That David is a man after Gods own heart, (and will show him the kindness of the Lord:) And that Saul is misinformed, and all his Courtiers are liars all; Now Saul and David are come to a Parley, and David is heard to speak for himself, he can speak with such evidence of Truth, that the quarrel had now ended, (for the evil Spirit in Saul seems to be quite silenced (for a short time) and Saul himself so fully convinced concerning David's uprightness, as that he seems to ● Sam. 24. 16. melt into tears, nay it is so indeed, he wept hearty:) but that the evil Spirit moves in Saul again and the Ziphites, a mischievous generation, ● Sam. 26. and enemies to Peace, did egge-on, and drive Saul to pursue David again [see what he Devil will do, and these Ziphites as evil as he, and as like him, as the children are like the father] these hurry Saul-onward, and after David he runs (for the Devil drives him) having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him. A marvellous ● Sam. 24. 2. thing! That thousand chosen men of Israel with him! And yet I shall make it no marvel at all anon; for if a King will fall desperately upon his own sword, there is another will do as desperately as the King does, fall upon it too. It is no marvel at all, That Saul 1 Sam. 31. 5. 6. hath three thousand chosen men with him: But this is the wonder, That, after such a conviction, as we read before, he should yet, with such a company, seek David to slay him. But that is no wonder neither: The evil Spirit is with him, and the Ziphites his Counsellors: These will drive-on Saul furiously, but David shall see whereto they drive; for he has his b 1 Sam. 26. 4. spies abroad, and they tell David where Saul is; and thither he goes, as bold as a Lion (for his Cause was good, and though it was stormy without, yet always clear within) he came to the place where Saul had pitched, beheld it well, and there went down, he with two more, even to saul's Camp by night, and there they found Saul asleep, and all his people round about him sleeping too; (Good would have it so.) Then said Abishai to David, Let me smite thine enemy once; one blow shall do the deed, there shall not need a second to destroy him: No, says David; (and observe what he says) The Lord forbidden that I should stretch forth my hand against the Lords Anointed, suffering thee to take away saul's head; but take away his spear, etc. and so they did, then got them away, and no man awaked, for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon th●m. [The Lord will find out a way to clear David's innocence as the noon day] David was no sooner gone, but he calls out to Abner, Captain of saul's guard, reproves his negligence above many, bids him behold the spear, etc. which stuck so near his Master's pillow, his Master's Verse 16. head was in the same danger, and Abner asleep the while! When Saul heard that, (for it could be no man's voice but david's) his heart seems (and in his own apprehension) to close with David now. Observe what Saul says, and what David replies, for now they are Vers. 21. as their last Conference. Matters are fairly debated, and concluded betwixt them, even with a blessing from saul's mouth: Then Saul Vers. 25. returned to his place: But Saul was resolutely bend to oppose God's decree, touching the setting of the Crown upon David's head, therefore Suspectum semper invisum que domi●anti b●s, qui, pr●xim ●s des●inar●tur, jac. H●●. 1. lib. 1. cap. 7. he envied David; and the evil Spirit wrought effectually upon that advantage: so as David did not trust Saul, nor regarded his words, for indeed bloody thoughts lodged within him s●ill; nor was he sui juris, but of the possession of himself quite: The Keilites had a part in him, the Ziphites also, and the evil Spirit divided Saul betwixt them, they have him in their power, and drive him as they will, and so David will trust none of them all: Nay they prevailed so, That David disinherited God a little, and so away David runs to Gath, and when Saul heard that he sought no more after him, says the Text c 1 Sam. 27. 4. , intimating no less than this; That Saul would have pursued him still, but that he was out of saul's reach. About this very time the Tribes came-in, when all was clear before them touching saul's implacableness, and stubborn resolution; touching David's uprightness, & the treachery of David's friends, than the Tribes came-in, after they saw all fair ways had been used to incline Saul, to hold him back from shedding blood, after they had prayed and fasted too; for this I must make good also. Then the Tribes came-in with shield and buckler, as we read. And so we have a brief relation of David's Story, and saul's persecution, which will relate clearly and fully anon, the History of our time. I shall not do as the wise Judges did, in a 〈…〉 Case, wherein it was hard, and dangerous to give righteous Judgement, They bade the Parties come and appear before them a hundred ● years' after. I cannot do so now: As I shall relate an ancient History, so I must declare how it relates to these present times: for in setting down David's Story, and saul's persecution of him, I must needs set down the story of these days fully, and wholly, for no Chronicle in the world gives us the like story, so parallel with the Church's story now, and affairs of these days: For example, A King, the chief Actor then, a King the chief Actor now; Persecuting David then, persecuting his own subjects now: All under colourable pretences then, the same pretences and shows now. The delivering up of the sword into David's hand was the pretence (and no more) of the quarrel then; the same pretence now. Saul takes an Edomite to his side, and giveth reason for so doing then; The King takes Edomites (for they say of our Jerusalem, as aforesaid) into his bosom, and gives the same reason for so doing now. The Edomite informeth against the faithful servants of the Lord then; so they do now, but with much more forehead, and less shame now than then, as will appear. The King impeached the servant of the Lord then, so the King does now. The servant of the Lord made answer to his Master, the clearest that ever was read: The servants of the Lord do render as full and fair account of all their actions now. Notwithstanding, the king gives a Commission to the Edomite to smite all the Priests, because one had done his duty then: The King gives the Edomites the very same Commission now. And so a City was smitten and burnt with fire then: Cities and Towns, yea, two Kingdoms, are smitten and burnt with fire now. And yet the Tribes come-not-in, no, not yet: Why? I will tell you the reason for that in due time. They did comein then to help David; And all true Israel will comein anon to help the Church (that we are sure of) in obedience to God, and in defiance of the Devil, so soon as the King's intentions shall be yet more clearly manifested: our Edomites sins shall be full: Israel shall sufficiently groan under such Taskmasters, crying unto God against them, etc. when the Edomites bloody intentions shall be yet more fully manifest; and when the treachery of the Keilites and Ziphites (for such we have amongst us) shall be yet more fully discovered to the world; and when by all this Israel's sins shall be purged, their hearts prepared, their strong holds, forts and breast works (vain confidences meant thereby) are destroyed, all and every one, than Israel's deliverance comes carried on, as upon eagle's wings; when Israel is very low, in David's Case, their Ziglags smitten (all vain confidences) their comforts taken thence, and they have strengthened their hand in God: Then as all Israel once came in to help David, so will all true Christians now join hand and shoulder, and heart together to help the Church: but of this in the last place. All along, for I am entering into the particulars of the Story, we shall read words and actions then, words and actions now, answering each other, as face in water answers f●ce: Then how heart answers heart, the world will judge whether we will or no. I must observe ●ri●● H●stori●● 〈◊〉 ●● qui● falsi aud●●●●e q●●●●●ri 〈◊〉 aud●●●, 〈◊〉 Ora●. the Law of History: I must not be so impudent as to speak what is false: nor must I be so bold as to conceal the truth: Specially being persuaded that the speaking out the truth now in such a Case as this, may prevail with the Reader now, more than if one came to him from the dead. Again, this comforts me all along in the things done then and now, which run up so parallel each with other, that yet I hope, the destruction of the King's house now, will not answer the destruction then to Saul, and his house. It is true▪ Never any man from that day to this hour, persecuted David and prospered. Compare it 1 Sam. 18. 17. with 31. 3. And very notable it is, That Saul was wounded with those instruments of death in the enemy's hand, wherewith he would have had David to have been wounded; and he perished by the very sword, which he would have made drunk with blood in David's bowels: 1 Sam. 31. 4. Nor was this all, he would have destroyed David, that the Kingdom might not be established in David's house; and he slew all the Priests for David's sake, and so he ruined himself and his whole house; for 1 Chron 10. 16. Saul died and his three sons, and all his house died together: from such a destruction the Lord deliver the King and his Kingdom: And we hope the Lord will do it, though the King's hand (now in the hands of bloody and pernicious men) is as rough now; his intentions against the Church now, are as bloody now, and as manifestly so, as saul's were against David; yet we hope the destruction will not be such, though God is the same, and the Church as dear to him now, as David was then. We have only this thread (a weak support) to bear up our hope herein. That we read not, Saul had any one Prophet, nor any good man (so much as is in show) with him, who justified his way of persecution against David. But the King is in the School of the Prophets, has those by him eminently known all over the Christian world, for Learning and Piety, who (if we believe hearsay, I believe it not) do justify the King's way, saying of it, It is the right way, and according to the Scriptures: and they who are against that way, do turn head against the Scripture of God, the 13. to the Romans, touching that matter. This may be some inducement to the King, to prosecute this stubborn way, having such persons approving his do; The greater their sin (if they do so by conniving at it, or not contending against it with all their might) But it may render the King more excusable, a tanto, then Saul was. I will give a full and fair account of this way of persecution, all the turn and wind in it, as Saul followed-on against David; And we shall see how it runs-up all along with the way of persecution now: And if this way prove itself according to the Rule and Line of the Word, in any one degree or step of it: If it hath any agreement with Peace, Righteousness and Holiness, than all the true Israel of God are utterly unacquainted with the good Word of God, and have erred concerning the way of Holiness, from the beginning of the world upward, unto this day. I will examine and ponder the King's way, what it was anciently, and what it is now, the several steps and motions therein; beginning with the first step, as follows. Chap. 2. saul's bloody intentions to David varnished over with fair Words, and lovely Actions. These are compared with Words and Actions now: And so all the most Remarkable Passages and Acts of Grace, which passed between the King and Parliament since they sat, till the War brake-forth, are Recorded, and Weighed, but found Light. PEace is in saul's tongue, War is in his heart; There he conceived mischief, but yet, that he might not make his wicked thoughts legible to all Israel; that they might not breakout at his mouth, nor at his finger's end, (as they have done before a few in the Court) he vailed the people's eyes by means we shall fully understand by and by. He persecutes David with his tongue, and hand too, but so privately and cunningly, that the people, remote from the Court, could read no such thing, but that saul's tongue was for David, and his hand too. Nor would they entertain a thought that Saul, the chief Master and Dispenser of Justice. would do unjustly. True indeed it was, That Saul had almost (tantum non) pinned or nailed David's head and the wall together; Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with his javeline a 1 Sam. 19 10. : And it was so violent and sudden (for it was by the Devil's motion) that David had no more time then to b 1 Sam. 18. 10. slip away and avoid the place, so the javeline was smote into the wall: And though this was twice, yet this was known in the Court only, perhaps to some dwellers hard by. It is as true also, and as clear every whit in the sacred Text (but the people inquire not into that, not what is written, not they) That an evil Spirit from God c 1 Sam. 18. 10. came upon Saul, and that is reported twice too; And this evil Spirit was so active in Saul, That, whereas he might have rested and slept quietly in his own house, he runs about (tanquam ostro percitus) from place to place, (for he must run whom the Devil drives) and is restless in the pursuit of David's soul; so as Saul might say, and others also, and all say truly, and the people might believe it too; That Saul did not go away from his Court, but was d●i●●n away; he was indeed, for an evil Spirit did drive him, which is clearly written: But I say, the people observe none of that, No● could they hear what good Jonathan spoke of David unto Saul his fa●●er, David's works have been to-thee-ward very good; he did so, and so, and so ● ronght a great salvation for all Israel; wherefore then wilt thou si● against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause d 〈…〉 ●. 4. 5. ; The people, A●l Isr●el, remote from the Court, heard none of all this; they heard what a salvation David had wrought, and they might think, as Jonathan did, judging his father's spirit by his own, that Saul seeing that salvation did rejoice, thou sawest it, and didst rejoice, Verse 5. said Jonathan: so the people might think too; and that David was in all the blame, and Saul in none at all; That David had done some great matter against Saul, because Saul did so persecute him, so the people may think; and the people might very well be so deluded, for Saul did cover his malice with fair words, as a potsherd may be covered with silver dross e ●●. 26. 23 ; go and tell David from me, said Saul; The King hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee f 1 Sam. 18. 22. . Nor could there be greater shows, nor more lively expressions, than were in Saul towards David; nor were his shows greater than were the reality of his actions, as the people must understand them; We do accowt Acts of mere Right and Justice, to be Acts of most transcendent Grace; (and so we can flatter) but indeed the Acts of Saul towards David, could seem no otherwise then Acts of most transcendent Grace, and that was the account that David himself made of them; he was sued unto twice to be the King's Son-in-law, and David was exceedingly taken with it, seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Verse 23. King's Son in-Law, seeing that I am but a poor man and lightly esteemed? It made David quite forget that unkingly act of throwing the javelin at him; And the people must needs be taken as much with it also, seeing a poor shepherd matched to a King's Daughter, for the people could not tell what Saul had said in his heart, I will give him Verse 21. her, that she may be a snare unto him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him: [Note it by the way, That this very snare wherewith Saul intended to catch David, took Saul himself, as we may read, 1 Sam. 31. 3. It is ominous, and a point of desperate folly, to lay a snare for David] But this snare was contrived in the Court, and that which was said, was said in the heart, whose language the people cannot understand till it be made legible by the hand. So much as was in sight was an act of most transcendent Grace: True indeed it is, and it is legible, that Saul spoke to Jonathan his son (bad 1 Sam. 19 1. council to a young Prince, therefore an Almighty hand stayed Jonathan upright, conversing with such a Father, and amongst such Counsellors) and to all his servants, as we heard, That they should kill David: But this was not legible to the people, it was a secret from the Court, where David had a good friend, (Jonathan) who will tell him all he hears, and what his father's bloody intents are, that so he might prevent them. Saul goes on, sends Messengers to David's house to watch 1 Sam. 19 11. him, and to slay him in the morning; but his wife makes an ill-favoured shift to save her husband, and tells a lie to boot. So David escaped Psalm. 59 at that time, and makes a Psalm of Thanksgiving to the LORD after his manner; so many deliverances, so many Psalms to call to remembrance. Then to Ramah he runs, and Saul sent Messengers as fast after him, and then came himself thither (we shall read more of that in due place) And now that Saul is at Ramah, David flies from thence, and comes to Jonathan; he and David are made sure together, and fast one to the other. [Mark it by the way, Saul had his Scout to spy, as you shall hear anon: The LORD provided for David too, he had a Spy at Court, a fast friend there close at saul's elbow. Be thou as David was upright with the LORD, thou shalt have a Jonathan, a true friend at Court, that is certain] I proceed, The Father observes great signs, and tokens of their love, so his anger kindled against Jonathan and reproacheth him shamefully; it grieved Saul that 1 Sam. 20. 30, 31. David liveth upon the ground (that is the expression) commands Jonathan to fetch him unto his Father, for he shall surely die: Jonathan will see reason for what he does; he will not run out of the Court gates to fetch David to his Father, because his Father said, David shall die: Jonathan was a good man, notwithstanding the bloody words his ear drank in from his Father's mouth continually, and his conversing daily with bloody Courtiers [God, He only, keeps the heart upright and from pollution, even there where Satan's throne is] there Jonathan was a good man and an obedient Son notwithstanding. Object. Nay but he was not you may say, for his Father, a King, commands, and Jonathan, a son, disobeyes. Ans. It is seemingly so indeed, and, as we use to say, That he is an obedient servant, who obeys his Lord, never examining what is the command and charge, nor how unjust; as the King's Attorney did obey, commanded by his Master to accuse the six Members sitting in Parliament of high Treason: This was an obedient servant, say we, but what says the Lord our great Master in heaven? I think the Judgement Deut. 19 19, 20, 21. from the LORD is, That this wicked servant shallbe drawn first, and hanged after. For ye shall do unto this evil servant, as he had thought to have done unto his brother. This was the Law anciently, what proportion the laws have now, with this then, let the honest Lawyer judge. Now we are informed of and resolved in an high point, or question, who has an obedient ear? Who obeys indeed? He who disobeys the perverse will of Saul, and obeys the Holy will of GOD: This must be our resolution now, which was Jonathans' then, he disobeyed, he resisted (as some express it) his Father, pleads David's case, and his innocency, which vexed Saul not a little, as appeared by his Answer, for he made reply to that, with his Javelin. Now Jonathan has a full discovery of that Evil spirit ruling in his Father, takes a little lad with him, and betakes himself to his bow (for Jonathan is allowed the wisdom of the serpent) shoots an arrow, sends words after the Boy, but intends them to David's ear, make speed, haste, stay not, the evil spirit works effectually in my Father. Then he sent back the lad, runs to David, they embrace one the other; bid farewell, then turned back to back, Jonathan back to his Father's Court, David hastens forwards, and comes to Nob, that strong hold, we shall come thither anon also. Chap. 3. Words and Actions then, are compared and weighed with these now; and being weighed, are found light now as then. Now we will look over what has been said, and take the result there from, which is briesly this, gathered to our hands; saul's words (those that were heard abroad) were as soft as butter, when war was in the heart; his actions also (those the Common people, remote Psal. 55. from Court, and unacquainted with matters & transactions there can take notice of) were very lovely, full of favour, and indeed, most transcendent Grace: yet were they snares and traps, or, to express it as the Searcher of hearts does, very drawn swords. This is the Result of all saul's Words and Actions hitherto, the very product the Spirit gives us therefrom. Now I will compare together Words then, and Words now; Actions then, and Actions now; and for the intentions of the heart, I will leave them to the world to read, for they will be legible by and by. The King (in the hands of wicked men) has given good words; so did Saul too: The King now, by his evil Council, has made so many Declarations of his grace and favour, so full of engagements, that he is worse than an Infidel that will not believe him; so they say, who, what ever they know, care not what they say. I will entreat but this, observe this Story well, and we shall never trust bare words; no, nor the most lovely Actions neither that can be in show. In this Story we have all this, most gracious words, and most transcendent Acts of Grace, yet proved themselves mere traps and snares, very drawn swords. It is possible now, to say no more yet, that Acts of mere Right, and Common Justice, (the Acts and Grants of the King have been no other, no not even for the continuance of a Parliament) may prove as deceitful now: And whether so or not, the Court and places can more than guess, for the Court is witness of as hard dealing from the King against David now, as it was in saul's time against David then. Nay, (to go-on a little in the general) Court, City, Country, all, now can tell us, That, as, when saul's words were most like unto oil and butter, most smooth and soft, then were the thoughts of his heart most bloody and treacherous, even as drawn swords: so now, when the Kings-party made some overtures towards a peace; when they gave most goodly words (as oft times they did) then were the most devilish projects hatching, and bringing forth to the birth: when the wicked made shows of Justice, than they plotted against the Just, and gnashed upon him with their teeth, against all the rules of humanity and justice also; when the wicked seemed as Angels of Light, than did they carry-on Designs most horrid and hellish, as it is at this day. But, what a good God, what a discovering God does Israel serve! Who would not serve Him! He suffers the wicked to conceive mischief, to travel with iniquity, and then to bring forth falsehood: He leaves them to Psal. 7. 14. their own Counsels, to make a pit, and dig it deep, and then they must fall into the ditch they have made; their mischief must return Verse 15. Verse 16. Verse 17. upon their own head, and their violent dealing must come down upon their own pate: (proceed) I will praise the Lord according to his Righteousness: and will sing praise unto the Lord most high. O that the wicked could consider all this, and this which follows, Let not him that is deceived, trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompense. Job 15. 31 But I must not stay upon Generals: More particularly, Thus, Saul commanded it to be said to David then, The King delighteth in thee, and all his servants love thee; he carrieth the same regard to thee, as unto his own child; for thou must be the King Son-in-law. The King now hath said as much, That he tendered the Parliament, and their safety then, as his own safety, or the safety of those most near to him in place and affection; And the very next day, yes, the very next day, these lovely words were drawn swords. But let words go: His Actions, before and after, were such, as if he meant to exceed Saul, in loving kindnesses to David, he would marry (not as Saul, his Daughter to David, but) himself to his good people for ever, his Kingdom should be his wise, he would be eternally theirs, so long as this world lasteth. So he spoke, and so he did, perhaps, hearty intending all good to all his good people: But no sooner did his Majesty turn aside, and give his Ear to his pernicious Council, but all was turned the clean contrary way: To the ruin of himself and his Kingdom. Chap. 4. Vile and pernicious Counsellors pervert their Master's mind (making shows of much good to his poor people, the clean contrary way; To the destruction of the King and Kingdom. NO, say his Majesty's most wicked, desperate and pernicious Counsellors, in whose hands he is, for thus they say; That his Majesty has no Malignants about him, none that council him, but for the good of King and Kingdom: And that it is so, thus it may appear to the whole world, (and so they would cast a veil before the eyes of the multitude) First, by what his Excellent Majesty has done; and by the Acts of most transcendent Grace, which has passed his hands: Consider on them in order, and first, what he has done. There were vile Counsellors set up in high places, the vilest men A. Psal. 12 8. were exalted, and then the wicked walked on every side: This his Majesty suffered to be cast into prison, and the one of them he suffered to be brought unto the Block: Besides, he suffered the prison doors to be opened, and let the oppressed go free. We will say this only: This was marvellous in our eyes. The B. The wise man hath given a double observation upon it, and it shall suffice here: The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors Pr. 11 6, 8. shall be taken in their own naughtiness. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. As he put the wicked down, so, at the same time, he exalted precious A. men, and honourable indeed, he set them in high places. This was marvellous also in our eyes: And we judge not what B. the Counsels were, and the intentions of the heart in setting-up those so precious men, and truly honourable, though in the multitude of such Councllours there is safety; and to such Counsellors Pro. 11. 14. 12. 20. there is joy: But we praise God, That the snare is broke. What snare? A great snare, the snare of the world, the fair offers thereof, its Pomp and Glory, that snare is broken. They were tempted, saith the Heb. 11. 37. Spirit, with the Glory of the world, that's certain. If stoning could not serve the turn, nor sawing asunder neither, tempt them with the glory of the world, see what that will do? It is not possible to withstand that temptation, without an Almighty assistance: How have the mighty fallen here? Alas, the humble know full fell, The world knows no other but his own, those that love the world and his glory, and are content to live and die with it closest to the heart. If the world do confer any glory (which is to gild gold with copper) upon the precious, and truly honourable in the world, it is because they should fall down and serve the world, and blaspheme their God, which they will rather die then do, though they should be stoned, sawn asunder, or slain with the sword, for they look to be exalted in due time, and to obtain a better Resurrection: Therefore, they will not be servants to men (men's lusts) not they; They are firmly resolved, though they might be promoted to great honours, and have a house full of silver and gold, yet they will not pleasure man, and grieve their God. His good Subjects of Scotland, Rebels some months before, and A so written upon every Post and Pillar, are styled and enacted Brethren, loyal and faithful Subjects to God and their King: The breach was made up, and a day of Remembrance commanded, and all this by his Majesty's command, never such an Act of Grace! We acknowledge it, and blessed be His glorious Name, who B made up the breach, wide as the Sea; caused war to usher-in peace; gave his people honey out of that devourer; delivered his good people there, and here, from all the expectation of the enemy, from the oppression of his hand, and sword of his mouth We praise His glorious Majesty for all this; And we do not question how upright the King's heart stood in that matter, because he calls his good people of England Rebels and Traitors now, for doing their duty, and much less (in show, and indeed) against him, than the Scots did; and yet they did nothing but what they had warrant to do from the law of Nature and Reason, and their Book, the King's Law-Book too. His Majesty put down the two Courts, as infamous over the Christian A world, as ever was, or is the Spanish Inquisition, the Pope's truest Purgatory: for these Courts were turned against the Righteous, and with such violence and extremity, that it was justly accounted, the greatest tyranny, and feverest kind of persecution under heaven; Whence it came to pass, that those Courts stank before David and all Israel. There the estates of men were consumed, their consciences wracked, their persons abased, and abused worse than David's fervants, yea, more cruelly than will a Mastiffe-Dog touse a poor sheep, or lug a swine: So and worse than so were the servants of the Lord toused, crapped, and lugged by the ears. In these places they said unto the soul of the Righteous, Bow down, that we may go over, and he laid his body as the ground, and as the street to them that went over g Isa. 51. There they gathered themselves together against the soul of the Righteous, and condemned the innocent blood. I say the innocent, he was the But, and the Mark that they bended to; he that served God and feared an oath, he that lived in all good conscience, h Act. 23. he was smitten on the mouth; and because he did so, even because he was upright in he●●t: when the vilest Priests, such as made the Offering of the Lord to be aborted, when such as they were purged there; Not as the King of Babylon purged those two base persons, in the fire i Jer. 29. 22. ; but purged after the manner of the Court, which was to clear them, whom God and His Word condemned: These Courts his Majesty hath put down, he has taken those yokes from off the neck. He has so, and we thank His glorious Majesty for this His transcendent grace, and favour to His good people evermore, Who intends B. them good, and will have good done unto them, what ever man's intentions were then, or would have done since. It is clear enough, That the King's intentions (seduced by evil Counsels) were not to disburden his people, not to take off their yoke, but to make it yet heavier, and more to establish the foot of Pride; Nor do we judge of the heart now, or of the thoughts, transactions, or discussions of the mind then, within his inward closet, and privy chamber there: we do not judge of these secret talk and parleys of his mind any farther, then as lawfully we may, and aught to judge of them now, being cast into a fair mould, and as his Majesty has given them a true stamp, and shape ever since. His Majesty has passed an Act against the Bishops Voting in Parliament: and more than that too, touching that matter And this was A. a very lovely Act indeed. Indeed it was, and as equitable, as ever was any Act in the world; B. for inquire what Bishops did there? All the mischief they could against the LORD CHRIST, and His hidden ones. Therefore a most equitable Act. We again and again thank His glorious Majesty, Whose overruling hand did all this: The King did not do it with a clear intent thereby to bring glory to God, and relief to his oppressed people, groaning under those Taskmasters; for his Majesty has made a full Declaration of his mind that way; and his people understand it very well: Let the Parliament have their will in this also, let them take his Bishops (said his wicked Council) out of the Court, and let them be taken with his Majesty's favour, and Act of Grace that way: But the hand of the Philistines, said Saul: The Army of the North shall come-up (said the King's evil Council) and overpower the Parliament, and undo all that has been done in favour and honour of David and his Court. It is presumption to judge of the King's intentions to be so, and so bloody, and destructive towards his Parliament, and by consequence to his Kingdom, when his Words and Actions were so clearly otherwise, good, pious, and most advantageous to King and Kingdom; To judge his intentions now argueth rashness, headiness, and presumption, all three. No, it does not: For we do not judge of thoughts, projects, contrivances, B while these are the secret Talk, as was aforesaid, and parleys of the mind, for this were rashness, and madness both, because they are in the dark to us, and indiscernible: But we may, and aught to judge of them, when they are made legible by the hand, demonstratively known to the world in full Declarations, touching the Army in the North, and his Bishops also. There are more Acts of transcendent grace yet behind, But I A will sum up all in this one: The King has passed an Act for the continuance of a Parliament, a fundamental mercy, and such an Act of Grace, as never the like Act passed from any King's hand. Yes, there has: But let that go: For we will thank God here, B who can make, a grand enemy to the Parliament, and as great a Traitor to the King and Kingdom, Digby, I mean, [not Lord now, but Nobile Portentum, a Noble Monster, in the Heathens account,] Nequit●a sord●●us imbuta Nobitia portenta, ●al. M●x. lib. 3. c. 5. Josh. 10. ●2. an active Instrument to workout this grace and good to the Kingdom: We care not what his intentions were, too bad, and bloody, and so they have declared themselves; but we Praise, we Bless, we magnify the LORD Jehovah, Who did as great a work at that time, in our days, as he did in Joshuahs' day, when He made The Sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and The Moon in the valley of Aiialon: We exalt and magnify this God; and so we are resolved to do while we have any being; and not to give any thanke] to the king's Counsellors, and yet we will give the King his due, for we say, and shall make good what we say, had this Act been from the King, an Act of Grace, there had been grace in it: I mean, he had given grace unto it by continuing a gracious aspect upon it, and his Influence into it, seeing it was not imaginable how he could, in so doing, wrong himself or prejudice his prerogative, for it had been good for his Kingdom (and that was the end) than it could not but be good for him. But that his People may know and be assured what grace was in that Act of continuing his Parliament, the King with-hol is all grace from it; Makes it, what he could, and to his power, headless, and useless; he takes away all life and power from it, so far as was in his power: I believe the oldest man living never heard of the like, of an Act of grace made so graceless. And yet I think I have read of an Act somewhat like it, and that was as bloody an Act, I think, as ever was done in the world, and yet it seemed and carried the face, and obtained the opinion in the People (a little while) of an Act of grace. Thus it was, Duke D' Alva, (all the world knew what he was) had besieged a Town in the low-countries' so long, that the Inhabitants, in extremity, treat with him for their lives, he shall have a peaceable entrance, all the Ammunition, and all, only the Inhabitants crave their lives: It was granted, their lives I mean, and the People accept it thankfully, as an Act of grace, for life is a precious thing. When the Conqueror (a Tyrant rather) was entered the city; he keeps the People pent-up still, and denies them bread, and yet tells them he keeps Covenant with them and keeps himself to the Articles of agreement: They have their lives, but they shall have no bread, for bread, that was not expressed in the Covenant: No? O monstrous! But it is boorlesse to cry out and dispute the matter now, otherwise I could make this good at large, as I shall by and by very briefly; That the Conqueror granting them their lives, did, in the same grant give them bread too: But the Lord has Answered this matter by himself, so I will pass it over, and apply it, only telling the Reader this first, That this Act of Grace was so graceless, that it rendered him odious to all people after this; and did the King his master Philip of Spain no small disadvantage too, for it lost him a little Kingdom, which neither his Son, nor his Son's son could ever recover again, no not to this day; They will not be subject to him who would give them their lives but no bread to sustain life; I will apply it (so far) as it fits to our purpose. Truly this Act of the King, which is so extolled, is but too like this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mentioned, life was granted; why then bread too, in the 〈◊〉 grant: bread is denied a poor People, why then life is denied them, for they cannot live without bread [though I read of a maid, that did live without bread or meat, and was named Meatlesse, it is a loud lie told by a Papist amongst a thousand more after his manner] I say life here cannot be preserved, in an ordinary way, without bread [or something like it] therefore take away bread, you take away life: so the King, grants an Act, for the continuing his Parliament; an Act of grace indeed it is, which lies in this, included in the same Act, a grant of all things which lay in him, whereby to make the Parliament successful, and, by necessary consequence, himself happy, viz. his presence, the influence of his very spirits into it, his free ascent to the passing all Acts tending to the forementioned end: But his Majesty, seduced by eull counsel, with draws all this, which is as bread to life; as the Soul of a Parliament, he withdraws all, and yet this grant, before specified, must be called an Act of grace; No, God knows, and he knows, and all his people know, there is no grace in it at all, for he has withdrawn his gracious presence from his Parliament, and influence thereunto as aforesaid. No, his Majesty did not willnngly withdraw himself, his Parliament A ●erced him to do as he did, to withdraw from the Tumults about the Court, and from the City. Take heed what you say; God, the searcher of hearts, ●ears us B what we say; and what was spoken in secret, is made manifest now, and that which was hid is known and come abroad, and the Parliaments A●●. 8. 17. Righteousness touching this imputation, and the City's in●●cency is cleared at this point, as the noonday; therefore pray let ●s speak and hear Reason. Less cannot be said, but what his Majesty is pleased to say; he did A not go from his Parliament but was driven; so he said again and again. If it be so urged again and again, we will grant it, he was driven, and B did not go but run; which was saul's case: Certainly the Parliament did not drive away their King from his Court, no more than David did drive Saul from his house, but an evil counsellor did it, and away he goes, nay he does not go but run, for he must run whom the Devil drives, and that was a sad ease, we will note it by the way; Saul pretends that David sought his life, and away he goes in pursuit after David, but when did Saul return to his house? Good Reader mark the answer, and take heed of making that the cause of thy ●●ght which is not the Cause, and so it fails out to thee, that thou, whose will carrieth thee from thine house, shall never return thither again in peace. It was so with Saul, and that is the Answer, he never returned unto his house in peace: I say in Peace; it is true, there is mention a great while after, that Saul after a conference with Dauîd went home, and 1 Sam. 24. 2●. 26. 25. after a blessing upon David, Returned to his place. I cannot tell where, or what that place was, perhaps some strong Fort, Castle, or the like, for war was in his heart, so long as the evil Spirit was there, and there he was, though non-plussed then, and silenced for a time; But this is certain, where ever saul's house or place was, he had no peace there, for surely he never ceased from persecuting of David, till David went to Gath; and about that time Saul hears a noise of a great Power coming against him, whither of Israelites or Philistines I cannot tell: But the sacred Text tell us plainly, That he, who ran from his house at the ●vill Spirits motion, and the motion of his own will, never returned again in peace, never enjoyed quiet rest there, at home afterward. This puts me in mind of a communication betwixt two great persons, and a resolution thereupon: Go thou one way, and I will go another, (both their own ways, driving-on furiously towards a cursed end) so they wen● on-ward, setting their face against God, and their back one to the other, but never met again. Truly it yields us a very sad consideration, but this only we will say touching the King driven (they say) from his Court: There he might have rested within the arms and embrace of his good people, most quietly and securely there, had it liked and pleased his Majesty best: But his will seemed his best Counsellor (amongst the rest we know no other reason) and he did otherwise, and most contrary to his own rest, and quiet, egged-on, and acted no doubt, by that evil Spirit, acting most effectually, and envying evermore to Kings and people all, their rest and happiness. So he went from his Court, and his good people, or rather was indeed, or too truly, driven thence by the instigation of his wicked Council, and a common Adversary, as aforesaid: And now he lives as one in the land of Nod, where he never enjoyed himself, nor one day's rest and quiet ever since. Counsels (which are carried headlong) advised his Majesty at that time to repair unto a strong hold, [O that they had told their Master where that strong hold was, only the Almighty God, and next, the people's hearts] there to make war with GOD and his good people. So war was in proposition quickly, great preparation for it then, the sweet words weet all lost, as the Proverb says, turned into gall, or drawn swords. This we shall read in the next Section; where the language of the heart, blood and death is made legible to all the world, in the bloodiest characters. I will shut up this Section with the wise man's 〈◊〉 2●. 26. 27. ●● proverbs, Whose hatred i● covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. Whos● diggeth a pit, shall fall therein and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. A lying tongue h●●●th th●se, that are afflicted by it, and a s●●ttering mouth ●●●ke●● r●i●e. Finis. ●. Sect.